In a shift marking a return to past dominance, Apple has dethroned Samsung as the world’s leading smartphone manufacturer for the first time since 2010, according to preliminary data from IDC. Based on global smartphone shipments throughout 2023, Apple secured a 20.1% market share, narrowly surpassing Samsung’s 19.4%.
The ascent wasn’t solely fueled by Apple’s own success. While its iPhone 14 series performed well and the recent iPhone 15 debut undoubtedly contributed, several factors converged to tip the scales. Samsung’s market share suffered from diversification within the Android landscape. Huawei’s resurgence in China, coupled with competitive offerings from OnePlus, Honor, Google, and others in the lower end of the high-end market, eroded Samsung’s stronghold.
It’s worth noting that the overall smartphone market dipped by 3.2% in 2023, shipping 1.17 billion units. Macroeconomic hurdles and high inventory levels early in the year were significant contributors to this decline. However, a promising upswing in the latter half offers hope for a market recovery in 2024. Foldable devices and growing interest in AI capabilities are also emerging as potential drivers of future growth.
Read the full report here.